Nursing Soldiers Come Under Fire

A photo of two military mothers nursing their babies while in unbuttoned airman battle uniforms has created quite a stir on the Internet.

Air Force Sgt. Terran Echegoyen McCabe and Staff Sgt. Christina Luna - both in active service - agreed to be photographed in support of Breastfeeding Awareness Month for the Mom2Mom Breastfeeding Support Group [1].

“I’m proud to be wearing a uniform while breastfeeding,” McCabe told the Today Show [2]. “I’m proud of the photo and I hope it encourages other women to know they can breastfeed whether they’re active duty, guard or civilian.”

But apparently, the women violated a policy that forbids military members from using the uniform to further a cause, promote a product or imply an endorsement, said Capt. Keith Kosik, spokesman for the Washington National Guard.

Crystal Scott, founder of Mom2Mom, was shocked that the photos have caused such controversy.

“A lot of people are saying it’s a disgrace to the uniform,” she said. “They’re comparing it to urinating and defecating [while in uniform].”